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FOIA requests

Montgomery County is committed to openness and transparency in government. The Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) guarantees citizens of the Commonwealth and representatives of the media access to public records held by public bodies, public officials and public employees.

A public record is any writing or recording regardless of whether it is a paper record, an electronic file, an audio or video recording, or any other format that is prepared, owned or in the possession of a public body or its officers, employees or agents in the transaction of public business.

All public records are presumed to be open, and may only be withheld if a specific, statutory exemption or other law applies to those records.
FOIA’s purpose is to promote an increased awareness of governmental activities. FOIA requires that the law be interpreted liberally, in favor of access, and that any exemption allowing public records to be withheld must be interpreted narrowly.

For news media inquiries or to make a FOIA request to the County, Public Service Authority or Commissioner of the Revenue's Office, contact Jennifer Harris at (540) 381-6887 or harrisjt@montgomerycountyva.gov.